St. Joseph’s College stunned St. Peter’s as the visitors didn’t know what hit them as the Josephians defeated 36 (6T 3C) – 19 (3T 2C) the visitors regained the Fr. Basil Wirathunga Shield after a lapse of 7-years.
St. Joseph’s made a one change to the game with influencial center Malshan Rodrigo was missing through injury while Janith Marasinghe made a positional switch from lock to flaker.
The Josephians started off the game on the front foot through a try from Marasinghe as he bundled over from close range to give the hosts the best possible start to the game. Beeshma added the extras as it was a perfect 7-points in 7-minutes. (SJC 07-00 SPC)
St. Peter’s, the potent team they are, struck back straight away through their threequarters as Emith set up Rajith Geon to go over on the near touch like as the visiting faithful found their voices again.
The conversion was off direction as the visitors continued to trail by 2-points. (SJC 07-05 SPC)
From then on, the first half, was all St. Joseph’s as they ran riot, with the visitors not knowing what hit them.
Isuru Chathuranga scored two tries as the Petes pushed hard, trying to get a hold of the game to no avail.
Beeshma converted the first of Isuru’s two tries as the second went a-stray, however, the Josephians were in firm control of the game. (SJC 19-05 SPC)
The Josephians rolling maul was unstoppable as the Peters infringed time and time again with hope of stopping it but with the increased number of infringments, referee Gihan Yatawara’s patience ran out as he dished out the first yellow card of the game to Revone Perera.
The hosts capitalised on the loss of the big lock forward, as they struck back through Janith Marasinghe as he scored his second of the evening putting St. Joseph’s College in the driver’s seat going into half time.
The inability cope up with the pressure meant the visitors went into the sheds with a 21-point deficit and with plenty of catching up left to do.
Half time: St. Joseph’s College 26 (4T 3C) lead St. Peter’s College 05 (1T)
Coach Sanath Martis was vocal and animated as he addressed the Petes at half time, knowing that they will have to manufacture things out of nothing if they were to get back into the game.
Manufacture they did as an aimless punt from the Josephians were punished by Vishenka Silva as he stepped past 5 would-be defenders to go over and round it off under the post.
Emith added the extras as the visitors got the first score of the second half, making their intentions clear. (SJC 26-12 SPC)
As the visitors were finding their way into game, flanker Hashara Madugasge had a sudden rush of blood to his brain as he took out Nathan late with his shoulder after the fullback had cleared his lines.
This yellow card further crippled the visitors as they were reduced back again to 14-players, giving the Josephians an advantage.
The hosts sure did capitalise on the advantage as they scored twice, first through Mindulka and Janith scoring his hat-trick, moments before Nethshan Manthusha saw red for a high shot.
This meant SPC were permanently reduced to 14-players as they trailed by 24 points and were chasing shadows at Longdon Place. (SJC 36-12 SPC)
The Visitors struck back after the 70th minute mark as Lakindu Ranasignhe has the final say of the game, a mere consolation try, as Vishenka Silva had the last chance to make an impact, however, it was the Josephians who had the last laugh, winning the game and regaining the Fr. Basil Wirathunga Shield after a lapse of 7-years.
The first half blitz by the Josephians was too much to handle as the Petes folded with no way back.
Full time: St. Joseph’s College 36 (6T 3C) defeated St. Peter’s College 19 (3T 2C)
- Swisstek Player of the Match: Janith Marasinghe
 – 19 (3T 2C) the visitors regained the Fr. Basil Wirathunga Shield after a lapse of 7-years.){kind=link}